Author: Dr. Greg Savage

I am the senior pastor at First Southern Baptist Church in Salina, KS. I have been married to Heidi for over 35 years. She is a teacher at Starbase, Salina. Our oldest son, Brennan, is married to Kaitlyn; they have two wonderful daughters, Kennady and Blair. Our middle son, Austin, is married to Kellyn. They live in Denton, TX, and are a part of the school system. Our daughter, Hannah, is married to Regent. They live in Davenport, IA, and have a young son, Silas. Our three grandchildren bring Heidi and me great joy. All my kids are Kansas State graduates, as are Kaitlyn and Regent. Kellyn is a Baylor grad, but we don't hold that against her. I am also a Denver Bronco fan, a horrible golfer, an avid reader, and a huge Wildcat fan. I am a graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a DMin in Church Revitalization. More than anything, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. The thoughts expressed are my own. You can also look me up on Goodreads.

God answers His way!

           If you have read the book of Romans, you know it was Paul’s ambition and desire to go to Rome and preach the gospel (1:10-12; 15:23-24, 28, 31-32). We learn from this letter he would travel to Jerusalem first, and then on his way to Spain, he would stop in Rome and minister to the people. In Acts 21:15, we see Paul’s tumultuous trip to Jerusalem. Things do not go as planned. “The whole city was stirred up and the people rushed together. They seized Paul dragged him out of the Temple and at once the gates were shut. As they were trying to kill him…” (Acts 21:30-31a). Paul’s life was in peril. Death seemed certain. However, God had a different plan for Paul. In Acts 23:11, we read, “The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.” Has God ever answered a prayer prayed in an unusual, and at times, at a high cost to you? How do you continue when life proceeds strangely?

Paul would go to Rome. However, consider his journey; a riot in Jerusalem, an arrest, a rejection of the Sanhedrin, a prison in Caesarea, an appeal to Caesar based upon Paul’s Roman citizenship, a journey by ship, a shipwreck, and a snakebite, to name a few things. Paul would get to Rome, but he would journey to Rome on the providence and provision of God.

How do we respond when we get what we desire, but in ways we could never conceive?

  1. Faith – Trust God. He is sovereign and can work all things out for good (Romans 8:28).
  2. Focus – Be Kingdom-focused saints. It’s all about the glory of God. Paul wanted to preach in Rome. God wanted Paul to preach in Rome in chains. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Our life is not about us, but about living for the glory of God, the good of others, and the advancement of the Kingdom.
  3. Fruitful – Be fruitful wherever God has you, and in whatever way He gets you there. How can you bear gospel fruit in your pain, difficulty, and heartache? How can you exhibit the grace and goodness of God?

Consider Spurgeon’s words, “I do not suppose that Paul guessed that he would be sent there at the government’s expense, but he was. The Roman Empire had to find a ship for him, and a fit escort for him, too, and he entered the city as an ambassador in bonds. When our hearts are set on a thing, and we pray for it, God may grant us the blessing; but, it may be, in a way that we never looked for. You shall go to Rome, Paul; but you shall go in chains.”[1]  

Paul’s desire to visit Rome was realized (between 59-60 AD). Paul preached the gospel in Rome. For two years, he stayed and wrote Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians. God had a marvelous plan for Paul. Paul left Rome (About AD 63-65)  and returned to Rome to die (67 AD). It was rarely a smooth and easy ride for Paul, but his faithfulness stands as a great reminder, it’s not about us but always about the glory of God. If you are in a waiting phase, continue to pray. Lean upon God, press into Jesus, trust Him, advance His Kingdom, and bear gospel fruit? If so, God will use you in mighty ways.

[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-1/

Is it Revival? Thoughts on Asbury University

            Lord, send a revival. If you are like me, you have been praying for a move of God to sweep across our nation for many years. I realize I need revival, First Southern Baptist in Salina, KS, needs revival, and the Church in America needs revival. By now, many of you are hearing about a worship service on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. The worship service started last Wednesday and ended at the regular time, but no one left. As of the writing of these thoughts, the worship service has not stopped. Has revival broken out on the campus of Asbury College?

            I am no longer surprised at how American Christians respond to matters of faith. The Asbury Revival has had its critics. If, like me, you have been praying for revival, why do we so often disregard a perceived move of God? I’ve seen critics say it can’t be revival because they are singing the wrong songs. They are not preaching; they are not talking about the gospel enough. It can’t be true revival because it’s on a Wesleyan campus (As if God can only move on a Baptist or Presbyterian campus). It doesn’t fit into their perceived “God Box,” so it can’t be genuine. Is what is going on true revival? My answer is relatively simple, I haven’t been there, so I don’t know, but I fervently pray it is genuine.

            Here are a few things from people who have been there (Don’t listen to critics who only judge based on a 15-second Twitter clip here and there).

Here is a report from an eyewitness, an Asbury professor:

Some were reading and reciting Scripture. Others were standing with arms raised. Several were clustered in small groups praying together. A few were kneeling at the altar rail in the front of the auditorium. Some were lying prostrate, while others were talking to one another, their faces bright with joy.

They were still worshiping when I left in the late afternoon and when I came back in the evening. They were still worshiping when I arrived early Thursday morning—and by midmorning hundreds were filling the auditorium again. I have seen multiple students running toward the chapel each day.[1]

A respected Baptist pastor, Bill Elliff, has spent time on the Asbury campus. He has a history of firsthand knowledge of revivals in America. He notes the following about the move of God in Wilmore. [2]

  • Vibrant, powerful worship
  • Intense and intentional humility
  • Life-changing testimonies that give all glory to God, are brief, and current.
  • Guided Prayer
  • Spiritual, emotional, and even physical healing
    • The theme is Jesus, exalting Jesus, surrendering to Him, testifying about Him
  • Preaching
  • Wise leadership
  • Consistency with the ways of God
  • Giving God time and waiting
  • Spreading
  • Overwhelming love

As I read this, my heart is overflowing with hope and joy. You and I have been praying for this for many years. I know there is a new and sincere delight in God in revival. There is a desire to live holy and a great need to exalt Jesus as Lord. It is not about the individual person but about God. In revival, there is renewed joy and love for others. There is a restoration of marriages and a renewal of hope. There is deep confession and repentance. Revival changes people.

Is it revival? There seem to be indicators of genuine revival. However, I’m not sure; time will tell. Nonetheless, don’t simply disregard what God is doing. Don’t listen to critics who have not been there. Instead, join me in fervently asking God to send revival and pray revival continues to spread across college campuses. Join me in asking God to send revival to our hearts and churches. May God begin revival in me. If God wills, could this be the third Great Awakening? Oh, God, may it be so.

[1] https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/february-web-only/asbury-revival-1970-2023-methodist-christian-holy-spirit.html

[2] Spend some time reading about the revival here: https://billelliff.org/blogs/news/reflections-from-asbury-part-2